Combined fly-wheel and transmission-gearing.



U. M. LEBUH.

COMBINED FLY WHEEL AND TRANSMISSION GEARING.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 25, 19-11.

Patented 0013.1,1912.

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0. LEEGH. COMBINED FLY WHEEL AND TRANSMISSION GEARING. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 25, 1911.

1,039,968. I Patented 0011.1,1912.

K I SHEETS-SHEET 2. 3 m

Q E PHI ll" 529M 5 (Zardsfl VNTOR WITNESSES INVENTOR Patented Oct. 1, 1912. I

UNITED cnmrs m. Lnno'n, or LIMA, 01110.

COMBINED FLY-WHEEL AND TBANSMISSION-GEARINQ Specification of; Letters P81261113.

PatentedOct. 1, 1912.

To all whom it may crmccm:

-Be it known that I, CHARLES M.LEECH,

a citizen of the United States, .residing at' Lima, in the county of Allen and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Fly-Wheels and Transmission-Gearing, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a combined flywheel and variable speed transmissipn gearing adapted for use in connection with automobiles or the like.

.An important object of the present invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character, which is compact, positive in operation and comparatively simple in construction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a variable speed transmission gearing which is operated by a single lever for all speeds, namely forward, low and high speeds and reverse.

Other objects and advantages of this invention .will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, Figure 1 is a central longitudinal sectional view through the device, Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, the elements 5 and 12 being omitted, Fig. 3 is a plan view of a fixed or stationary bearing, Fig. 4 is a rear end view of the same, Fig. 5 is arear end view of the forward brake member, Fig. 6 is a central transverse sectional view through the same, Fig. 7 1s a forward endvlew of the rear brake member, and, Fig. 8 1s a central vertical sectional view through the 5 same.

In the drawings wherein is illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates a crank shaft of the engine (not shown) whichcrank shaft is rotated in the direction indicated by-the arrow. At its rear end this crank shaft carries a disk 2, to which is rigidly connected by means of bolts 3 a frusto-conical fly-wheel disk 5. faced as shown. Upon the open rear end of the disk 5 is rigidly connected an annular gear 6, connected therewith by bolts 7 or the like. This annular gear is pro- Application filed August 25; 1911. Serial No. 645,898.

' vided with teeth upon its inner surface.

The bolts 7 also serve to hold a ring 8 upon the annular gear 6, as shown..

The fly-wheel'disk 5 is provided centrall thereof'with a hub portion 9, provided wit a cylindrical opening 10, for loosely receiving the forward end of a main shaft 11.

This main shaft has a main clutch disk 12 rigidly connected therewith at its forward end, the said main clutch disk bein preferably formedintegral with the she 11, as shown. The main clutch disk 12 hasv the. shape in cross-section, as shown and is. disposed within the fly-wheel disk 5. The

main clutch disk 12 may have its periphery preferably faced with leather or other suitable material, which is ordinarily employed between such elements. The main shaft 11 is journaled through a fixed or stationary bearing 13, and this shaft is capable of; Ion gitudinal movement within the bearing. This hearing has its forward end in the form of a head 14, provided with an annular groove 15, for receiving an annular flange 16, formed upon an annular ratchet wheel 17, the teeth. of which are faced, as'shown in Fig. 2. Disposed in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel are rollers 18 held in place by a ring 19, which is rigidly ;connected with; the ratchet wheel 17 by screws 20 or the like.- The ring 19 also en gagesthe head 14. Disposed for rotationin gone direction only upon the rollers 18 is an ;annular gear 21', held in place by the ring g19 and provided upon. its periphery with lteeth,.as shown. The ratchet wheel 17- has a substantially frusto-conical forward brake imember 22 rigidly connected therewith, the gsame being I preferably formed integral therewith;

Rotatably mounted upon the'brake meme Eber 22. is a cylindrical casing 23, having its iforward end formed-openand its rear end closed by a head 24, provided centrally thereof with an opening for receiving the stationary bearing 13 and associated elements. The casing 23 ;has stub shafts 24. -]'ournaled therethrough, preferably at diametrically opposite points, and each of these stub shafts carries a planetary gear 25 and forwardly of the same a pinion 26, which are rigidly connected with the stub shaft by any suitable means. The planetary gears 25 are in mesh withthe gears 6 and and the pinions 26 are in mesh with an annular gear 27 which is rigidly connected with the hub portion of the main clutch disk 12, as shown.

Disposed within the forward brake mem- 5 her 22, is a substantially frusto-conical intermediate brake member 28, as shown. This intermediate brake, member has a central hub portion 29 which is. mounted upon the stationary bearing 13, the-same being preferably splined thereon to move longitudinally but to be incapable of rotation upon the stationary bearing. The intermediate brake member 28 is adapted for movement into and out of engagement with the brake member 22. The brake member 28 is preferably provided upon its pcrlphery with a strip of leather or the like.

The numeral 30 designates a rear brake member, having a central hub 31, which is v splined upon the stationary bearing 13 to move longitudinally but to be incapable of rotation on the hearing. The brake member 30 is adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with a brake ring 32 rigidly ,mounted upon the inner face of the head 24. Disposed between the brake members 28 and 30 is a coil spring 33 possessing a desired degree of stiffness.

As shown in Fig. 4, the stationary bearing 30 13 is square in cross-section and is provided upon opposite sides with longitudinal grooves 34, for slidably receiving longitudinally movable shifting elements 35, provided at their forward ends with spaced outwardly 35 extending lugs '36, for extending within openings 37 and 38, formed respectively in the hubs 29 and 31, as more clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 8. The elements 35 are provided at their rear ends with trunnions 39, 4 adapted for pivotal connection with the forked end of an operating lever (not shown).

The numeral 40 designates a band surrounding the shifting elements 35 to prevent their displacement.

The rear end of the main shaft 11 is reduced and formed in a shank 41, which is square in cross-section and longitudinally movably mounted in a sleeve 42 but so mounted that it can not turn therein. The

main shaft 11 is provided with a screwthreaded portion 43, engaged by a flanged ring 44, and friction reducing rings 45 are preferably interposed between the ring 44 and the forward ends of the elements 35, as shown. A compressible coil spring 46 of a desired vdegree of'stiffness surrounds the sleeve 42 and engages the flanged ring 44 and a flange 47 formed upon the forward end of the sleeve 42. The flange 47 carries spaced ears 48, between which is disposed one end of a driven shaft 49 and a bolt 50 pivotally connects these elements, as shown. The shaft 49 is suitably connected with the rear wheels of the automobile or other mechanism to be driven and is free to rotate but can have no perceptible longitudinal movement.

The operation of the device is as f0l1QWSI- When the shifting elements 35 occupy their normal starting position, as shown in Fig. 1, the rotation of the shaft 1 is imparted to the disk 5 and the annular gear 6 which in turn rotates the planetary gears 25 and the pinions 26. The load bemg on the disk 12, the pinions 26 will travel about the annular gear 27 and rotate the annular gear 21, which moves the rollers 18 and locks the annular gear 21 and the ratchet wheel 17 for rotation together. The ratchet wheel 17 and casing 23 now rotate idly about the shaft 11 without transmitting the rotation of the shaft 1 to the same. When the shifting elements are brought forwardly to the first position, the member 28 engages the member 22, holding the latter against rotation. The annular gear 21 is now prevented from rotating, whereby the planetary gears 25 are made to travel about the annular gear 21 and the pinions 26 will rotate the annular gear 27 forwardly at a much reduced speed from the rotation of the shaft 1. This rotation is transmitted to the main disk 12 and subsequently to the main shaft 11 which is therefore driven at forward low speed. When the shifting elements 35 are moved forwardly to their second position, the member 28 still holds the member 22 against rotation and the spring 42 will cause the main shaft 11 to move longitudinally, bringing the members 5 and 12 into direct frictional engagement. The shaft 11 will now be driven directly from and at the same speed as the shaft 1. It is thus seen that the elements 1, 5, 12, 25, 26 and 11 move as an integral structure. When the rotation of the shaft 11 is reversed, the shifting elements 35 are first returned to their normal or starting position and subsequently mo ed rearwardly for bringing the member 30 into engagement with the brake ring 32, whereby casing 24 is locked against rotation. The annular gear 6 will now rotate the planetary gears 25 and pinions 26 to cause the annular gear 27 to be rotated in a reverse direction. This 1 5 reverse rotation is accordingly imparted to the shaft- 11, which is now driven at reverse low speed.

I wish it understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is 120 to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that certain changes in the shape, 1 size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from theaspirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined 125 claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In a device of the character described, a driving disk, an annular gear connected with 130 the driving disk, a longitudinally movable shaft, a friction disk carried thereby'and movable into and out of engagement with said driving d' k, astationa bearing for the longitudina l casing, planetary gears and pinions carried by the casing, an annular gear connected with said friction disk, said planetary gears and pinions engagingrespectively the first and second named annular gears, a third annular gear engaging the planetary gears,

and means to hold said third annular gear and said rotatable casing against rotation.

2.- In a device of the character described, a driving shaft, a fly wheel disk connected therewith, a stationary bearing, a main clutch disk disposed near said fly-wheel disk, a main shaft rotatably'and longitudinally inovably mounted in said stationary bearing, a casing rotatably mounted about the main shaft, stub shafts carried by the casing,-

planetary gears and pinions carried by the stub shafts, an outer annular gear connected with the fiy-wheel disk and engaged by the planetarygears, an inner annular gear'engaged by said planetary gears, a third annular gear connected with the main clutch disk and engaged by said planetary pinions, a ratchet wheel disposed within the inner annular gear, rollers disposed between the teeth of said ratchet wheel and said inner [annular gear, means to prevent the rotation of the ratchet wheel, and the casin and means to move the'main shaft longitudmally.

3. In a device of the character described, a fly-wheel disk, a stationary bearing, a main shaft longitudinally movably and rotat-ably mounted in the stationary bearing,

a main'clutch disk rigidly connected with the main shaft for movement into and out of engagement with the fly=wheel disk upon the movement of said main shaft, a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted u on the station ary bearing, a clutch disk rigidlyconnected with said ratchet Wheel, rollers disposed.

upon the ratchet wheel, an inner annular gear disposed upon the rollers, a casin rotatably mounted upon the last named cl utch disk, stub shafts carried by said casing, an outer annular gear connected with the flywheel disk, planetary gears carried by the stub shafts and engaging the outer and inner annulan gears, a third annular gear connected with the main clutch disk, pinions carried by the stub shaft'and engaging said third annular gear, a disk splined'upon the statidnary bearing and movable into and out of engagement with the third named means to move t disk, a disk splined upon the stationary bearing and movable into and out of en:

gagement with a ortion of said casing, and he twolast named disks. .4. In a device of the bharacter described, a fiy-wheel disk,- a stationar bearing, a main shaft longitudinally mova ly and rotatably movable sha ,a rotatable mounted in the stationary bearing, a main clutch disk ri 'dly connected-with the main shaft, a rate et wheel rotatably'mounted upon the stationa bearing, a forward brake member rigi connected with said ratchet wheel, rollers mounted upon the ratchet wheel, an inner annular gear mountedupon the rollers, an outer annular gear connected with the fly-wheel disk, planetary gears disposed between theyinner and outer annular gears, a third annular gear having connection with the main clutch disk, planetary pinions connected with the planetary gears and engagingthe third named annular gear, an element for holding the forward brake member against rotation, and means for preventing said gears and pinions from partaking of a planetary movement and causing the same to rotate on their axes.

4 5. In a device of'the character described, a. stationary bearing, rotatable elements mounted about the same, brake members mounted between the rotatable elements and splined upon the stationary-bearing, a sprin disposed between said brake members, an means for moving each of the brake members to cause the same through the medium 8f the spring to move the other brake memer. I v

6. In a device of the character described,

a stationary bearing, a shaft longitudinally movably and rotatably mounted in the stationary bearing, rotatable elements, brake.

elements disposed between the rotatable elements and splined upon the stationary hearing, a sprin disposed between the brake elements, shifting elements slidably mounted uponthe'stationary bearings and engaging said brake elements, means fixed to the shaft and engaging the shifting elements, and a spring for moving said means.

- 7. In a device of the character described, a stationary bearing, a shaft longitudinally movably and rotatably mounted in the stationary bearing, rotatable elements disposed about the shaft, brake elements disposed between the rotatable elements,a sprin disposed betweenthe brake e1ement-s,-sh1ftin means engaging the brake elements, an means to move the shifting means.

8. Thecombination with a fly wheel disk provided with an annular gear, of a longitudinally movably rotatable shaft, a friction- 10 r rotation and in a reverse dlrectlon to hold 'rotary motion in a reverse direction, Whereby. the two rotatable elements rotate together, and means movable in one direction to hold one of'said rotatable elements against the rotatable 'support against rotation.

10. In a device of the character. described,

a .fly-Wheel disk, a friction disk, means to move the friction disk into and out of engagementwith the fly-Wheel disk, gearing between the fly-wheel disk and friction disk, including. planetary gears, a rotatable support for the planetary gears, rotatable means with which some of the planetary gears-engage, said rotatable meansincludin rotatableelements adapted to have relative rotary movement in one direction and to be locked together upon such relative rotary movement in a reverse direction, and means movable 1n one direction to hold-one of saidrotatable elements against rotation and= in a reverse direction to hold the rotatable sup port against rotation.

' In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presenceof two witnesses.

CHARLES M. LEECH.

' Witnesses:

W. L.. RISLEY, CLAnnNcE C. MILLER. 

